‘Red Ring Of Death’ Victims Sue Microsoft

SACRAMENTO (CN) – Microsoft sold defective XBox 360 video game consoles for years though it knew they were defective and froze with circular, flashing red lights known as the “red ring of death,” according to a class action in Superior Court.

Plaintiffs say Microsoft knew of the defect within 13 months of launching the product, but in the face of “mounting consumer criticism and negative publicity,” it merely extended the warranty, without disclosing the defect, which was so widespread it already had acquired the “red ring of death” moniker. Microsoft launched the XBox 360 on Nov. 22, 2005, and had sold more than 10 million of them, at $400-$500 a pop, by the time it extended the warranty on Dec. 22, 2006, the complaint states. It extended the warranty again on July 7, 2007, and this extension “was specifically limited to general hardware failures indicated by the ‘red ring of death,'” the complaint states. Plaintiffs want refunds, disgorgements, costs and fees. They are represented by Keith Cable of Folsom.